Author Spotlight on Dakota Madison and her Fire on Ice Series... Check out my reviews!

Synopsis:

He’s Fire on Ice and she’s afraid to get burned again…
“You always think a guy is going to be different until he’s not.”

Firestorm Center Kian Kavanagh dominates the ice like a rock star dominates the stage. He’s the hottest new player to be recruited for the Firestorm, a newly established professional hockey team in Northern Arizona.

After Taylor Thompson’s heart was completely shattered by her high school’s most popular jock, she vowed never to date another athlete. And she keeps that promise through her first three years of college by putting up impenetrable walls to protect her from heartbreak.

But after a chance meeting with the charming and irresistible Kian Kavanagh, Taylor’s carefully constructed walls are in serious danger of being burned down by Mr. Fire on Ice

My 3.5 Star Review:

Taylor Thompson’s heart was crushed by her popular jock boyfriend back in high school. From that day forward, she swore she’d never date another athlete. Now in her third year of college she has succeeded she has also succeeded in putting up Fort Knox around her delicate heart.

Enter Kian Kavanagh. He is smart and gorgeous. He is also the popular center for the professional hockey team, The Firestorm. Hanging out at a bar one night, Kian meets Taylor. He sees that she is doing everything in her power to get him to back off but like most jocks.. He loves the challenge.

Taylor can feel that there is something between her and Kian and she does all she can to keep her distance and he makes it impossible for her to stay away. Slowly he is able to break down the walls she has built up around her heart.

As their friendship turns into more, the chemistry between them is undeniable, Taylor is finally ready to take another chance. Like most things in life, things are easier said than done. When people from the past show up and cause a bit of trouble, Taylor and Kian have to fight for each other. When Kian gets a call that he has been waiting a lifetime for, their new found relationship is put to the test.
Kian is a great character. He is your typical jock but something About Taylor makes him a better person. He is caring, honest and faithful. He knows she has been hurt, he just doesn’t know the extent of it. He is determined to prove to her that he isn’t like the rest of the guys.

Taylor is oblivious to her beauty. She tries harder to blend in but it makes her stand out even more. After what she suffered through, she vowed to never be placed in that position again. She also vowed never to trust a male athlete, ever! When she meets Kian, he is the first guy in three years that has been able to see her for who she really is. He makes her want things she hasn’t wanted in years and she finds herself trusting him.

This was a good and fun read. I am always up for a story about a hot hockey player.
I can’t wait to see lies ahead for our hockey hero and the girl with the broken heart.

Synopsis: 

Kian Kavanagh, Mr. Fire on Ice, has just been called up to play hockey for the NHL's new expansion team in Seattle. Finally playing in the NHL is a dream come true...except for one thing. Kian has to leave Northern Arizona and the love of his life, Taylor Thompson, to pursue his dream.

Taylor Thompson thinks she's got life figured out. She'll finish her final semester of college then move to Seattle to attend graduate school and be with her man. Until one fateful night when Taylor's world is complete shattered and everything she's ever wanted--everything she's ever hoped for--is called into question.

Will Kian's love be enough to help put Taylor's shattered world back together again or will tragedy tear them apart?

This NEW ADULT ROMANCE contains MATURE LANGUAGE, VIOLENCE and CONTENT indented for ADULT READERS (18+).

My 4 Star Review:

Kian is a fighter. All his life he has fought hard to get what he wants. His dreams are becoming a reality. Currently playing hockey for an NHL expansion team, he got the call to join the big leagues. Everyone knows that with dreams and goals, a lot of sacrifices have to be made along the way. One of those sacrifices was leaving the love of his life, Taylor behind. It is true what they say, absence does make the heart grow fonder. Agreeing to support each other, they decide to do the long distance thing.

Taylor had been so closed off to men after her mortifying past, especially when it comes to athletes but somehow Kian was able to break down her walls and he has done nothing but prove how much he loves her along the way. Being far away from the one you love is hard but she has her classes that keep her busy. Things are going great but in the blink of an eye Taylor’s world comes crashing down and she is left scared, haunted, ashamed and broken.

Kian does his best to be there for Taylor while she does her best to keep the distance between them. What doesn’t kill you only makes your stronger, right?
Kian will stop at nothing to prove that Taylor that nothing has changed and that he will be there for her every step of the way.

Dakota really stepped it up in this book. There was so much emotion, love, fear, hurt, uncertainty and happiness.

There is a scene that is violent but she wrote it with class and honesty, making it real.
I really enjoyed this series, definitely worth reading.

About the Author:

Dakota Madison has been writing since she learned to read and fell in love with books. When she's not at her computer creating spicy new romances, Dakota is traveling to exotic locales or spending time with her husband and their bloodhounds.

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Dakota's Website

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Blog Tour: Wife Number Seven by Melissa Brown

TITLE: WIFE NUMBER SEVEN

AUTHOR: MELISSA BROWN

RELEASED: JULY 21st

ADD TO GOODREADS

Lipstick. Bright, red lipstick. Nothing but lipstick. Even though it’s against our faith to wear a color that screams of sexual promiscuity and deviant behavior, I’m not allowed to protest. But, I want to. So badly.

You see, there’s more to me than the braid that spills down my back. More to me than the layers of heavy fabric that maintain my modesty. And so much more than the oppressive wedding band that adorns my finger--the same band that each of my sister wives wear. So much more. To protest would be sinful. I must keep sweet, that is my duty.

So I’ll wear the lipstick. I’ll do as I’m told. And I’ll do my best to silence the resistance within me, to push him from my mind. If only my heart would do the same.

My 5 Star Review

When you were raised to think that everyone outside your community was bound to an eternity of punishment and misery, it shaped your expectations. I’d always expected to see misery upon their sinning faces. I’d always expected hatred to spew from their mouths. I’d always expected shriveled skin, bags under their eyes, anything that would indicate misery of the body, of the vessel God had created.

Brinley is the main character in this book. She is stuck in a way of life that she internally struggles with and a life she do desperately wants to be free of. She is beautiful, smart and she is strong and different from the others. The world she wants lies outside the compound.

This is a journey of a young woman’s journey to make her life her own. A very emotional journey of fear, excitement, truth, bravery and love.

“Then let’s figure this out. “ He pressed his forehead to mine. “They don’t deserve you, Brin. They don’t.”

This isn't like any of Melissa’s other stories.  She is showing a bit of her dark side which I LOVED. She knocked my socks off. I couldn't put this book down. I felt every single emotion that was running through Brinley.

I have always been curious about polygamy. It is a culture with different beliefs and a different outlook on things and also very religious. In a way it would be nice to have the extra help around the house but then having to share your husband with several other women? I couldn't even imagine. Melissa made this world come to life for me and did it in such a classy way.

All I have to say is BUY THIS BOOK! READ THIS BOOK and be prepared to have your MIND BLOWN!

A FANTASTIC WONDERFUL BRILLIANT read by Melissa Brown!

Melissa Brown was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago. She attended the University of Illinois and is the mother of two fantastic kids. She’s an avid reader who enjoys making handmade gifts for her family and friends, as well as baking and painting. She speaks fluent movie quotes from the 1980s and ’90s.Her romance titles include Bouquet Toss, Champagne Toast, Picturing Perfect and Unwanted Stars. She is currently developing a Young Adult series called Sorority of Three.

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Blog Tour: Going the Distance ( Down for the Count #2) by Christa Cervone

Life has been a roller coaster for Gabriel ‘The Saint’ Vega. From surviving a hellish childhood, to reuniting with his lost brother, only to hit the struggle of helping him battle his drug addiction. Boxing saved Gabriel’s life, and just when his career hits the fast track, he finally finds love with Salem; at least for a short time. 

Social differences, obligations, and misguided good intentions tore Gabriel and Salem apart before they could ever really get started.

Will Gabriel be able to save his brother from the whirlpool of addiction that threatens to drag him under? Is Salem capable of breaking away from the ropes that bind her to doing what’s expected rather than what and whom she desires? Can Gabriel convince Salem that their mutual feelings are worth fighting for, and that together, they will be able to go the distance?

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My 4 Star Review

Three months after Salem walked away. Gabriel ‘The Saint’ Vega is slowly putting his heart back together. He is also training again. Aside from his love life, things are going well for him. His brother, Jase is at his side and doing better with his handling his addiction. His career is on the fast track and things are finally falling into place.

Three months ago Salem walked away from the man she truly loved and from a man who treated her the way she deserved to be treated. Her life already mapped out for her, her marriage practically arranged. Constantly asking herself why she ran, she knows and it is because of her family.

“Says who, your parents and your friends? Are you going to let stereo types dictate your life, tell you who you can and can’t be with? Sweetheart, I hate to say this but, if you walk away from him, someday you’ll regret it. You’re going to wake up one morning and realize how unhappy you are and wonder what could’ve been.”

Things are going for Gabriel and you know how life can be. Just when you think you are good, life likes to punch you in the gut. For Gabe, his world comes crashing down.

“You think you can say what you want to me, put me down, call me names and then hug me and make it all better? I’ve been dealing with that for years. I’m not a door mat, Gabriel. All I want you to do is take me home, and I don’t ever want to see or hear from you again.”

Salem finally finds the strength to stand up for what she wants out of life. Together they both go down a road that tests their strength, their faith and their new found love for each other.

“Just keep loving me the way you do, Gabriel.”

“You’ll never have to worry about that, Say. I’ll never stop loving you.”

Salem definitely redeems herself in this book. She is smart, beautiful but gives into others. I was happy to see her get the strength she has always had but for her to finally act on it.

Gabriel grew so much in this one. Life has always knocked him down but he fought and continued to fight to get to the top.

I feel in love with Kitten’s character. She is sassy, knows what she wants but underneath her act- she ends up being a great friend.

My favorite was the epilogue. Christa has a KO with this epilogue. I LOVED LOVED LOVED IT!.

I enjoyed Gabriel and Salem’s journey. Christa did a fantastic job with the characters and the emotions.  These books are a must read!

PROLOGUE

As Salem drives away, Gabriel and Jason fade into the darkness. She drives and drives, as if on autopilot, until she comes to a stop at a traffic light. She realizes that her palms are sweaty from holding the steering wheel so tightly, and each tear that hits her cheeks stings as it rolls down her face. Say, what are you doing? Turn the damn car around. Go to him. Tell him how you feel. She looks up into the rearview mirror as her inner dialogue plays through her head. No, Salem! You’re doing the right thing; you already have feelings for him, and if you continue down this road, someone is going to get hurt.

A loud honk brings her back to reality. Looking up at the traffic light, she realizes it’s now turning red for a second time. The car behind her revs its engine and pulls up next to her. “Why don’t you pay attention? You dumb bitch!” the driver yells angrily, then cuts in front of her car and runs the red light.

She’s still shaken from Gabriel’s dismissal of her. “Pull yourself together,” she wipes the tears away. “It’s not like the two of you would ever work, anyways. He did you a favor.”

The light turns green and Salem proceeds through the intersection, managing to make it home without further incident. She’s greeted by Jocelyn, who’s sitting on the couch watching an episode of Revenge. “I didn’t expect you home tonight, or I would’ve waited to watch this.”

Salem stands at the top of the stairs in silence. She’s disheveled; her typically creamy, porcelain skin is blotchy, and her puffy, bloodshot eyes are a dead giveaway that she’s been crying. “What the hell happened?!” Jocelyn kicks the blanket off of her lap and rushes to her friend’s side.

“Ugh, where do I start?”

“What did he do now? I’m going to kill him,” she sneers.

Salem lets out a heavy, staggered breath as she responds, “No Jocey, it’s not Blaine.”

Jocelyn studies her friend’s face. “Then, who? I’m not sure if I’m following you here.” She leads Salem over to the couch and the two of them climb under the blanket.

“I messed up, Joce,” Salem sighs, leaning her head onto Jocelyn’s shoulder.

“Aw… Say.”

“After I caught Blaine last night,” she takes a deep, calming breath, trying to build up the confidence to finish, “I ended up at Gabriel’s.”

“Well, I kind of figured that out when the three of you showed up here this morning.”

“I…”

“Wait, don’t say another word.” Jocelyn dumps her side of the blanket onto Salem’s lap and scurries across the room, before disappearing into the kitchen. Salem sees the light from the refrigerator illuminating the dark kitchen, and then hears the sound of whipped cream being squirted. A moment later, Jocelyn reenters the room carrying a half gallon of ice cream in one hand and two spoons in the other. She smiles warmly, “Okay, proceed.”

The sadness on Salem’s face softens. “Thanks, Jocey.”

“It’s just what the doctor ordered,” she laughs. “And by the look of you, you needed the sundae version, not just plain old ice cream.”

“You’re so right.” Salem takes the container of ice cream and a look of guilt then appears on her face, “Yeah, well, I wasn’t so strong last night.”

“Did you sleep with him?” Jocelyn doesn’t waste any time.

Salem’s lip begins to quiver and the tears begin to flow as she nods her head, “I made a mistake.”

“A mistake?” Jocelyn blurts out. “I don’t think so, Say. I saw the way the two of you looked at each other. As far as

I’m concerned, the only mistake you made yesterday was not dumping…”

“Joce.”

“I know you don’t wanna hear it, but I’m going to say it, anyway.”

Salem laughs through her tears, knowing full well her best friend is going to speak her mind. “Of course you are.”

“Look, we both know I’m not a fan of Blaine’s. Actually, I despise the man. He’s a fucking scumbag and I’m not sure why you can’t see it.”

The two friends get quiet and Salem begins to eat the ice cream.

“Do you think you don’t deserve to be happy?” Jocelyn breaks their silence, scooping a heaping spoonful of whipped cream.

“I can be happy with Blaine.”

Jocelyn shoots her friend a look. “Are you happy right now?”

“No,” she lets out an exasperated breath, “but, I can get us back to where we once were. I know I can.”

“Why?”

“Why, what?”

“Why do you want him? Help me understand.”

“I’m not sure you will understand. You’ve never had…” Salem stops herself.

“Never had, what?”

“Jocelyn,” she sighs, “you’ve never been in a serious relationship.”

“You’re absolutely right, and do you know why?”

Salem shakes her head.

“Because, I haven’t met a man worthy of me and I’m not going to settle, like you have.” Jocelyn sees the wounded look on her friend’s face and immediately regrets what she’s just said. “I’m sorry, Say. I don’t mean to hurt your feelings, but it’s the truth. I’ve sat around and watched my best friend being treated like a doormat for years. I know exactly what not to look for; and as for you, you’d rather settle for someone who treats you like shit than to be alone.”

“That’s not…”

“No, it’s my turn. I’m going to tell you how I see it. I think you felt something last night with Gabriel.” Jocelyn studies her friend’s face, hoping to get a glimpse of something. “All these years, you’ve gone through the motions of being the good girlfriend; thinking that would be enough, that he would change. Yet, here we sit.”

“You’ve got it all wrong, Jocey.”

“Do I? Would you like me to remind you of all the nights I’ve lain next to you, while you’ve cried yourself to sleep because that asshole stood you up? Or how about the time he showed up drunk and reeking of another woman’s perfume?”

Salem’s shoulders sink down. “He doesn’t want me,” her voice is all of a whisper.

“Who doesn’t want you?”

“Gabriel. He said what happened last night can’t happen again and he pushed me away.”

“And let me guess; you being you, just walked away?”

“What was I supposed to do?”

“Geez, I don’t know… stay and fight?”

“Stay and fight for what, a man who doesn’t want me?”

“Oh, I don’t think it’s a matter of him not wanting you, Say. I think it’s more like the fact he knows you’ll probably end up breaking his heart.”

“That’s just it. I told him the first night we went out that I wasn’t what he needed. I think he sees that now.”

“And now your feelings are hurt by this?”

“It would never work, anyways. We come from two different worlds,” Salem tries to brush it off.

“So, what difference does that make?”

“Oh yeah, sure, can you see him at one of my parents’ dinner parties?”

“Yeah, actually I can. And he’d probably liven it up a little!” Jocelyn laughs.



“You’re not helping.”

“I’m not sure what you want me to help you with. I’m certainly not Team Blaine, and I’m not going to sit by and let

him continue to treat you the way he does. What’s got you so scared?”

“The future.”

“The future?!” Jocelyn exclaims. “Don’t you think you may be jumping the gun a little here?”

“Jocey, I’m graduating next spring. The next step in my plan is marriage, then a house, and then kids.”

“Screw your plans, Say. Why do you need a damn plan, anyways? You’re young, beautiful, and you’re going to be one hell of a lawyer. This is the time you should be out experiencing life. You have your whole life to worry about getting married and having babies.”

“But, it’s what I’m supposed to do.”

“Says who, your parents?”

“It’s what I’ve dreamed about since I was a kid.”

“Salem, when are you going to realize it’s not your dream?” Jocelyn repositions herself on the couch so that she’s directly facing Salem. “This life you’re living, is your parents’ dream. You need to wake up and be your own damn person, not the person your parents have molded you into or who Blaine wants you to be. Where’s that girl I once knew? The one who snuck out of boarding school with me and went to college frat parties. Where’s the girl who got wasted on cheap beer and sang karaoke all night long with me?”

“I am my own person, and ‘that girl’ is still right here,” Salem insists.

“Tell me one major decision you’ve made on your own lately.”

Salem sits quietly.

“You can’t think of one, can you?”

“Actually, I can,” she bites back.

“Bullshit,” Jocelyn purses her lips together.

“I’m not going into corporate law,” Salem spits out.

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me. I’m not going into corporate law. I’ve decided to be a guardian ad litem instead.”

A glowing smile spreads across Jocelyn’s face. “Holy shit, Say! I’m so proud of you.”

Salem tries to hide her smile, but it finally shines through.

“Your parents are gonna shit a brick,” Jocelyn laughs.

“I know.”

“When do you plan on dropping that bomb on them?”

“After graduation,” Salem says slyly.

“Oh, to be a fly on the wall when your father hears this.”

“You and Gabriel are the only people who know.”

“You told Gabriel before you told your best friend?”

“I feel comfortable with him.”

“Clearly, since you gave it up to him,” she nudges Salem’s shoulder.

Salem’s hands cover her face in embarrassment.

“How was he?”

“I’m not like you, Jocey. I don’t kiss and tell.”

“I’m not asking you to tell me how he kisses. I want to know how he is in bed.”

“No way,” Salem replies adamantly.

Not caring about the objection in her friend’s voice, Jocelyn continues on. “Is he strong? Did he go all ‘Dom’ on you like the guys in some of my trashy romance novels? Is he big? I bet he’s big!”

Salem remains tight-lipped. “I’m not telling you, Jocelyn.”

“Come on, give me a little something? Okay, fine,” she relents on the more risqué questions, “just tell me if he’s a good kisser then.”

The corners of Salem’s lips turn up as a smile appears and she hugs her knees.

“I’ll take that as a ‘yes,’” Jocelyn chuckles and keeps on going with her interrogation. “How are his hands, are they rough and callused from fighting?”

“Surprisingly no, they’re very soft and his touch is gentle.”

“Gentle?” Jocelyn’s face scrunches up. “Hmmm… I wouldn’t have figured him for gentle.”

“Me either,” Salem utters.

“You okay, Say?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. It’s just…”

“It’s just, what?”

Salem’s face turns a light shade of pink. “I can’t,” she laughs, embarrassed.

“Look, if you can’t tell me, who can you tell?”

Finally, Salem gives in to her friend’s coercion. “He made me feel so wanted, like I was the only woman in the world.

And the way he looks at me…”

Salem’s heart instantly drops into her stomach at the thought of Gabriel’s eyes on her; how his hands danced over her skin, how his soft lips grazed her neck, then her breasts, and finally down between her legs. Closing her eyes, she tries to shake her arousal and regain her composure. If Jocelyn catches wind of it, she’ll never leave her alone. The questions will go on all night long.

“Um, if I’m not mistaken, that’s how your man is supposed to make you feel,” Jocelyn mocks.

“Yeah, well, I’ve never felt that way with Blaine.”

“Well, that’s because Blaine is a douche and wouldn’t know a good woman if she bit him in the ass. And don’t you dare bite him in the ass!”

“You don’t have to worry about that.” Salem shoots Jocelyn a look, and they both begin to laugh uncontrollably.



“Thanks, Jocey,” Salem snuggles up to her best friend, “you always know how to make me feel better.”

“Say, I don’t want to be that person.”

Salem is taken aback by what she just heard and her head jerks away from Jocelyn. “What?”

“Oh Say, I didn’t mean it like that,” she frowns. “What I meant was, I want you to have a man in your life that can comfort you and make you laugh, like I can, not one that makes you cry.”

“Oh, okay,” Salem sighs in relief. “I thought…”

“Don’t you dare even say it! You’re stuck with me, Say.”

“Good, because I don’t want you going anywhere.”

  

 

Born and raised in New England, Christa is a married mother of three. She began writing her first book, Broken, in October 2012, as a love story to her husband, Frank. During the writing process, Christa managed to keep her book a secret from the majority of her family and friends, including her mother. She finally revealed that she had written a book on her personal Facebook page just two weeks before Broken was released.

Broken was released in February 2013, and within twenty-four hours of its release, it was on Amazon's Movers and Shakers list as well as in the Top 20 Erotica. Christa released her second novel, On the Ropes - Book One in the Down for the Count series, in February 2014. On the Ropes has also climbed the charts on Amazon, hitting the Top 10 Sports Fiction and the Top 20 Romance Sports Fiction lists. Book Two, Going the Distance, is slated to be released in the summer of 2014.

Christa also has several other novels in the works, with no release dates announced at this time.

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Release Blitz for Christa Cervone's Going the Distance (Down for the Count #2)

Life has been a roller coaster for Gabriel ‘The Saint’ Vega. From surviving a hellish childhood, to reuniting with his lost brother, only to hit the struggle of helping him battle his drug addiction. Boxing saved Gabriel’s life, and just when his career hits the fast track, he finally finds love with Salem; at least for a short time. 

Social differences, obligations, and misguided good intentions tore Gabriel and Salem apart before they could ever really get started.

Will Gabriel be able to save his brother from the whirlpool of addiction that threatens to drag him under? Is Salem capable of breaking away from the ropes that bind her to doing what’s expected rather than what and whom she desires? Can Gabriel convince Salem that their mutual feelings are worth fighting for, and that together, they will be able to go the distance?

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“I love you, Salem Harris. I love you more than I’ve ever loved anything in my lifetime. My heart beats for you, my body aches for you, and my soul would die without you. You are as important to my survival as the next breath I take. You’re the one, Salem, you… are… my one. What do you have to say about that?” My stomach immediately turns upside down at the admission of my true feelings for her. I’m on edge, waiting to hear her response to my confession.

 

Born and raised in New England, Christa is a married mother of three. She began writing her first book, Broken, in October 2012, as a love story to her husband, Frank. During the writing process, Christa managed to keep her book a secret from the majority of her family and friends, including her mother. She finally revealed that she had written a book on her personal Facebook page just two weeks before Broken was released.

Broken was released in February 2013, and within twenty-four hours of its release, it was on Amazon's Movers and Shakers list as well as in the Top 20 Erotica. Christa released her second novel, On the Ropes - Book One in the Down for the Count series, in February 2014. On the Ropes has also climbed the charts on Amazon, hitting the Top 10 Sports Fiction and the Top 20 Romance Sports Fiction lists. Book Two, Going the Distance, is slated to be released in the summer of 2014.

Christa also has several other novels in the works, with no release dates announced at this time.

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